Teen obesity is a growing concern, and drugs to help combat it are now being approved for young people aged 12 and up.
The latest to hit the market is Wegovy, approved in December 2022. It joins other drugs like Saxenda and Qsymia that were approved earlier.
While these medications do help with weight loss, their cost can be a big issue, especially in the U.S. healthcare system.
The Findings: Good at Weight Loss, Bad for Wallets
Researchers at Columbia University recently compared the cost-effectiveness of four different obesity drugs, including Wegovy, for teenagers.
They studied how these drugs would impact both health and healthcare spending over various periods—13 months, 2 years, and 5 years.
The results were interesting: Wegovy was excellent at helping teens lose weight but fell short when considering its high price tag.
Dr. Chin Hur, who led the research, says that while all obesity drugs available are effective, “spending on semaglutide (Wegovy) is not an efficient use of resources.”
The slightly better weight loss from Wegovy doesn’t justify its much higher cost compared to a more budget-friendly option, top-dose Qsymia (a combination of phentermine and topiramate).
The numbers speak for themselves. In terms of cost-effectiveness, a measure called ICER (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio) is used.
In the U.S., anything under $100,000 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained is generally considered cost-effective. Top-dose Qsymia had an ICER of $56,876, while Wegovy’s ICER was a staggering $1.1 million.
The study found that Wegovy’s current price (around $1,400 per month without insurance) would need to drop by 85% to match Qsymia’s cost-effectiveness.
What’s Next? More Data Needed
Francesca Lim, the study’s first author, points out that these conclusions could change as more data becomes available. The longest study on weight-loss drugs for teenagers lasted only about a year.
To truly understand the long-term safety, effectiveness, and value for money of these medications, longer studies spanning 10 to 20 years are needed.
This study, the first of its kind to compare the cost-effectiveness of teen obesity drugs, adds a crucial layer to the ongoing discussion about treating adolescent obesity.
While the medicines may work well, their cost can be a significant barrier. The findings suggest that more affordable alternatives like top-dose Qsymia might be the wiser choice for now, both for families and the healthcare system.
If you care about weight loss, please read studies about Scientists find key to long-term weight loss success and findings of Tirzepatide: a breakthrough in faster blood sugar control and weight loss for type 2 diabetes.
For more about weight loss, please read studies about why exercise is less helpful in losing weight than simply eating less, and early time-restricted eating could help lose weight and improve blood pressure.
The research findings can be found in JAMA Network Open.
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